No Wife, No Life Chapter 38

Harper was momentarily stunned.

"First Love was bought for me?"

"I thought you liked it. I didn't know it was your mom's keepsake." His voice was flat, emotionless.

Harper felt a warmth in her heart, quickly followed by a wave of bitterness.

What was the point of saying this now? They were getting divorced.

She'd rather he stayed cold; it would make leaving easier, without any lingering attachment.

If he showed her even a bit of warmth, it would only make her more miserable.

So she didn't look back, her tone still icy.

"Mr. Lavien, we're not in a position to exchange gifts anymore."

With that, she resolutely walked away.

Watching her frail yet straight back, Alex felt a deep sense of melancholy.

Was their marriage really coming to an end?

Harper stepped out of the hall and into the courtyard, taking a deep breath.

Compared to the noisy hall, the air outside was much better.

She looked around, hoping to see Caden.

She just wanted to leave The Orsini Villa.

At that moment, she saw a figure not far away.

Her eyes widened instantly.

Unable to hold back, she rushed over and pushed Emily to the ground, shouting, "Take it off!"

At some point, Emily had changed into a green dress.

The ruffled hem was pleasing to the eye.

This was a dress Alvina had made by hand.

Alvina's words echoed in her ears.

"My Harper looks like a woodland nymph, as graceful as a swan."

It was the last dress Alvina wore before she passed away, and it still seemed to carry her scent.

"Harper, try it on."

Alvina had taken off the dress and put it on her.

The long dress trailed on the ground, and Harper had spun around like a fairy.

It was a dress they both shared, carrying their shared warmth.

And now, Emily dared to wear it without permission.

"Are you crazy?" There was no one else in the courtyard, and Emily's voice was no longer sweet and gentle.

"Emily, take off the dress right now!"

Harper's eyes were almost spitting fire, her hands gripping Emily's arms tightly.

Emily's mouth twisted into a strange smile, "I promised Alex I'd get along with you. Let's have a drink, and I'll give the dress back."

She raised an eyebrow at Harper. "I know you won't bless me, and that's fine. I won't bless you either."

She paused, then added, "Even if not for me, do it for your mother. Today is her death anniversary."

How dare she bring that up!

She knew today was Alvina's death anniversary, yet she chose this day to celebrate her own birthday.

Her slender fingers played with the ruffled hem, her tone still relaxed. "I hate this hem. Every time I see it, I want to tear it apart."

Harper believed Emily would truly ruin her mother's dress, the last dress her mother wore, the dress they both shared.

"I curse you to live in the sewers forever, despised like a cockroach." She said coldly.

Two glasses of wine were placed on the steps.

Harper picked up one and drank it in one gulp.

Then she tossed the empty glass aside, her eyes fierce.

"Take off the dress!"

Emily smiled, stood up, and said, "I will, but not here."

She walked into the storage room ahead.

Harper's heart tightened. She hesitated for a moment but followed her inside.

Emily took off the green dress and threw it on the ground.

"Here, who cares about this ugly dress anyway."

Harper bent to pick up the dress, but her legs felt weak, and she felt dizzy, collapsing to the ground.

She tried to get up, but her body was powerless.

"What did you do to me?" Her voice was soft, with a hint of confusion.

"One drink and you're this drunk." Emily's smile grew larger, looking sinister.

"I'm going to get help for you."

With that, Emily turned and left.

The door to the storage room slammed shut.

Inside, it was pitch dark.

Suddenly, childhood memories resurfaced in her mind.

Back then, she had been locked in this storage room by Brad.

The door was tightly locked.

She had screamed for help through the crack, but no one came.

Her voice had gone hoarse, but useless.

Back then, she had wished someone would come and save her from the darkness. But no one did.

"Daddy won't care about you."

Emily's triumphant voice came from outside.

"Daddy said you're just as worthless as your mother."

Emily had left after a cold snort and never returned.

From that day on, Harper knew no one would be her savior. She had to rely on herself.

She couldn't think anymore, her body burning, her mind foggy.

Just then, the door opened, and someone walked in.

She squinted, unable to see who it was.

"This girl is really something." A blond man chuckled.

"I've always dreamed of having fun with a beauty like this." A burly man swallowed, full of desire.

"We hit the jackpot today. We get paid and get to have fun with a woman like this. Awesome." A man with a mustache clicked his tongue in admiration.

"Guys, one at a time."

The blond man took off his jacket, humming, his eyes gleaming with wicked desire.

Harper's mind was hazy, but she still tried to move away.

"Don't move, sweetheart. We'll take good care of you."

The man grinned wickedly and lunged at her.

At that moment, the door was forcefully kicked open.

Caden burst in.

He glanced at Harper on the ground, then at the three men, his voice stern. "Do you want to die?"

The three men were startled at first.

Seeing it was just Caden, their courage returned.

The blond man stepped forward, threatening, "This is none of your business. You better leave!"

Caden's voice was cold. "Fuck you! She's my girlfriend."

The blond man didn't care and swung a punch at Caden's chest, but Caden dodged and kicked him away.

The other two men rushed at him but were quickly taken down by Caden.

Seeing the situation turn against them, the thugs fled.

Caden then knelt down to check on Harper.

He helped her sit up, gently asking, "Ms. Orsini, are you okay?"

Her eyes were half-closed, her breath warm, her cheeks flushed.

"Kiss me, kiss me, please?"

She leaned into his chest, whispering softly.

Her pink lips pressed against his chest.

Caden felt his chest heat up, his whole body burning, thinking that she was so tempting at that moment.